Recipes — Back to school

6 Healthy Back-to-School Snacks Perfect for Your Kid’s Lunchbox 0

Say goodbye to after-school hunger pangs with these six easy and healthy back-to-school snacks! From Cherry Almond Cereal Bars to Cheesy Spinach Muffins, these snacks are delicious, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Perfect for filling lunchboxes with tasty treats that are low in sugar and high in flavor, these recipes are sure to satisfy kids and adults alike.

5 Yummy Back-to-School Recipes to Brighten Up Your Kiddo’s Lunch Box 1

It's almost time to send your kiddo(s) back to school. Back-to-school season is a time for hectic mornings with zero time to prep something decent for the kids’ lunch boxes. If you want to avoid this stressful scenario, try these 5 easy back-to-school recipes are just the thing to get you started.

Back To School Time - 10 Easy Smoothie Recipes On The Go 0

Although the back to school time is a transition from waking up late to lazy breakfasts to quick breakfasts and rushing to get to the bus, it need not be stressful.
Childhood is the time where children experience growth spurts and need proper nutrition. We want to help you take out the stress of meal planning, and give you a few easy ways to nourish your kiddos. Smoothies are packed with fiber and antioxidants and are perfect for back to school snacks:¹ convenient and ideal to give your child energy on the go.
Here are some easy and quick delicious smoothie recipes. Try preparing them in the evening and put in the refrigerator if you have a busy morning schedule to save on time and your peace of mind.

1. Banana Oatmeal smoothie with peanut butter¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk/ or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 bananas
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter

Preparation

• Add all the ingredients to a blender.
• Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy and smooth. Stir and blend again for a minute.
• Pack in a smoothie bottle.

2. Blueberry vanilla smoothie¹

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat milk / or a milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 11/2 cup yogurt
• 1 banana, chopped
• 1 cup frozen or freeze dried blueberries
• 1 1/2 tsp flax seed meal
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Place the chopped banana, yogurt, milk, flax seed meal, and honey in a blender.
• Blend for 5-10 seconds on the lowest speed until smooth.
• Add the blueberries gradually as you continue to blend on low speed. Increase speed and blend to your desired consistency.

3. Mixed berries with yogurt²

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed berries
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 teaspoon almond butter

Preparation

• Put all the mixtures in a blender and blend until smooth. Chill overnight and pack for your kids in the morning - a perfect way to get a ton of vitamin C and protein.

4. Green chia seed and fruit smoothie²

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients to a smooth consistency.
• Sweeten with natural frozen fruits such as mango and bananas to get a boost of natural sugars. Spinach is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, while the chia seeds add a boost to the nutrients and thicken the drink.²

5. Healthy avocado and orange punch³

Ingredients

• 1 medium avocado
• 1 banana
• 1 orange
• ½ cup strawberries
• 1 cup yogurt

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients to make a healthy fruit punch - refreshing and nutritious and a great way for the kids to start their morning.

6. Tropical fruit with coconut smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of a mix of tropical fruits (mango, banana and pineapple)
• ¾ cup coconut milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

Preparation

• Blend the ingredients until combined and smooth.
• Sweeten with honey if desired.
• Add the coconut and pulse or blend on low speed to combine.

7. Cocoa and banana smoothie with Raspberry⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen raspberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, soy, or coconut milk)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Blend until smooth and frothy.

8. Frozen berries and rolled oats smoothie³

Ingredients

• 2 cups of mixed frozen or freeze dried berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
• 1 1/2 cups skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all the ingredients until combined. Sweeten with honey, if needed; then blend until frothy.

9. Pineapple, kale, and mint smoothie⁴

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 cup packed fresh kale without stems
• 3/4 cup coconut water
• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves.
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

• Blend all ingredients in blender at low speed. Sweeten as desired with honey. Pulse the blender to mix then blend until smooth.

10. Banana, peanut butter, and date smoothies⁴

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup skim milk/ or milk alternative (almond, cashew, coconut, or soy milk)
• 5 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 pitted and chopped dates

Preparation

• Blend until smooth and frothy.

Smoothies offer significant nutritional benefits; they are quick to make and help you to avoid skipping breakfast for those quick mornings. Sweeten with natural freeze dried fruits like berries, mangoes, and pineapples. Add some greens, like spinach, to get a boost of vitamins and antioxidants, and nuts, like flax seeds or almonds, to make it nutritionally complete.
If you prepare your smoothies ahead of time, your kids will be fuller longer, because of the fiber, and they'll have the energy to get through the busiest part of the day. Do you love the smoothie fever for back to school time? Try out these recipes and give us feedback below.

 
References

1. http://blog.bestbuy.ca/home-furniture-kitchen/recipes-how-to/back-to-school-easy-tasty-breakfast-smoothies-that-will-get-you-to-school-fast
2. http://www.coupons.com/thegoodstuff/10-easy-smoothie-recipes/
3. https://www.today.com/food/easy-healthy-smoothies-recipes-beat-breakfast-boredom-t10266
4. https://www.today.com/health/super-breakfast-smoothies-help-make-back-school-breeze-t41806